Horse-detacher.



E. A. COLLIN. HORSE DETAGHER. APPLICATION rum) MAY 4, 1906.

Patented Dec. 1, 1908.

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anon tot Q/Vi tn use:

Patented Dec. 1, 1908.

. E. A. COLLIN HORSE 'DET HE CATION I- UNITED STATES ERIK A. COLLIN, OFTURNER, NEBRASKA.

HQRSE-DETACI-ICER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 1, 1908.

Application filed May 4, 1908. Serial No. 430,729.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ERIK A. COLLIN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Turner, in the county of Holt and State of Nebraska, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Horse-Detachers, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of devices which are intended toprovide for quick release of a horse or horses from a vehicle. It is notinfrequent that serious accidents occur to occupants of vehicles due torunaways, and it is for the reason that the horses cannot be set free soas to enable the vehicles to come to rest.

For a full understanding of the invention, including its mode ofapplication and operation, reference is to be had to the followingdetail description and the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is ageneral perspective indicating the invention applied; Fig. 2 is acentral longitudinal section Fig. 3 is a plan -view, portionsbeing'removed; Fig. 4 is a horizontal section, and Fig. 5 is a verticaltransverse section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3. Throughout the followingdescription and on the several figures of the drawings, similar partsare referred to by corresponding reference characters.

As a practical embodiment of this invention, the same comprises a casing10 adapt-v ed to be permanently secured to a vehicle pole 11. It will beunderstood, however, that a similar structure may be attached to thecross bar of a pair of buggy shafts for the purpose of accommodating theattachment of one horse. As indicated herein the usual double tree ispivotally connected to the front end of a block or cross head, the bodyof which projects rearwardly within the casing 10. v The rear end 14 ofsaid cross head is provided with a series of rack teeth 15 on each sideextending substantially throughout its length. On each side of saidrack, above and below the same, is a smooth bearing surface 16. Thecross head may be provided at each side in front with eyelets 17 for thepurpose of attaching stay chains if desired.

As shown in the drawings the casing 10 is provided with a longitudinaland transverse partition 18 spaced from the bottom and paralleltherewith and between which and the bottom the aforesaid cross headoperates. J ournaled within the casing are a plurality of guidingdevices 19, each of said devices consisting of a pinion 20 adapted tocooperate with the rack 15 and a plurality of rollers 21 to cooperatewith the bearing surfaces 16. The shaft 22 for each guiding device 19 isjournaled in the aforesaid partition and in the bottom of the casing,and except as hereinafter noted, is free to rotate in its bearings. Asherein shown there are four of said guiding devices 19, but it is to beunderstood that this number may be varied as occasion may dictate.

Suitably located, as above the partition 18, is a locking means 23 forthe aforesaid rotary guiding devices. Secured to the upper end of eachshaft 22 is a ratchet wheel 24. A plurality of pawls are adapted tocooperate with said ratchet wheels for the purpose of locking the sameand the guiding devices from rotation whereby the cross head isprevented from abnormal withdrawal from the casing. The pawls consist oftwo members 25 mounted upon a central stud 26, and each of said membershas at its forward end a pawl 27 and its rear end a pawl 27. One or moresprings 28 cooperate with said pawl members to cause the same to engagethe aforesaid ratchet wheels 24. The stud 26 is located in the partition18 and extends into and through a cover plate 29 which incloses the saidlocking means. A nut 30 on the upper end of the stud constitutes a partof the means for securing the cover plate in position. Extending throughthe cover plate and journaled on a transverse pivot therein is anoperating lever 31 having a connection at its lower end by means of ayoke 32 with the aforesaid pawl members 25: Upon operation of the lever"rearwardly as when drawn upon by a suitable cord or rod 33 by anoccupant of the vehicle the lower or inclosed end of the lever will drawthe yoke forwardly causing the pawls 27 to approach each other, andlikewise the pawls 27 all of the pawls thereby being withdrawn from theratchet wheels 24, settingsaid ratchet wheels and guiding devices freefor rotation and consequently allowing the cross head to be withdrawnfrom the casing.

Upon recovery of the cross head the same may be replaced in the casingfor further use. The mouth of the casing is provided with beveled guides34 to facilitate the entrance of the cross head therein.

The device herein described may be made of any suitable material and ofany desired proportions. It is to be understood also that slightmodifications in structure may be resorted to without departing from thespirit of the invention hereinafter claimed.

Having thus described the invention, what is, claimed as new, is: 1. Ina horse detaeher for vehicles, th

combination of a casing, a cross head having a rack projecting into saidcasing, draft means secured to said cross head, guiding devicesjournaled in said casing for cooperation with said rack, locking meansfor said guiding devices including ratchet wheels secured to the upperends of said guiding devices, and pawls cooperating with said ratchetwheels, substantially as set forth.

2. In a device of the character set forth, the combination with avehicle, of a horse detacher comprising a casing adapted to be securedto said vehicle, a cross head having a rack projecting within thecasing, guiding devices ournaled in the casing and cooperating with saidrack and each consisting of a shaft, a pinion, and rollers mounted onsaid shaft, locking means for said guiding devices 1 comprising aratchet wheel for each of said shafts, a set of pawls engaging saidratchet wheels, and means within reach of an occupant of the vehicle forreleasing said pawls from the ratchet wheels.

3. In combination with a vehicle, a casing adapted to be securedthereto, a cross head extending within the casing, draft means socuredto said cross head, guiding devices journaled in the casing andincluding means for holding said cross head, locking means cooperatingwith said guiding devices to prevent rotation thereof, said lockingmeans including ratchets and pawl members pivoted on a single pivot, ayoke embracing said members, and a lever pivoted in said casing andconnected to said yoke for the purpose of releasing the pawls from theratchets.

In testimony whereof I atlix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ERIK A. COLLIN.

IVitnesses L. G. KLoKn, OSCAR MUxsoN.

